GMB, the union for school support staff, will undertake a road show and school visits to engage with and ask parents, teachers, members and non-members to sign the petition in support of teaching assistants to protest at Education Secretary Michael Gove's plans to axe all 232,000 of them.
The GMB campaign in support of teaching assistants began in June 2013 after the publication of stories in the Sunday Times and Daily Mail about discussions between the Department of Education and the Treasury concerning the possibility of axing 232,000 teaching assistants from schools across the country.
GMB Congress in June in Plymouth pledged support for coordinated nationwide campaigns to ensure these 232,000 jobs are saved.
The road show to galvanise support will take place week commencing Monday 28 October 2013 covering Birmingham, Coventry, Stafford and Worcester.
The details of the road show are as follows:
11.00am – 3.00pm
Monday 28 October 2013
Coventry City Centre
Broadgate Square
Coventry CV1 1LL
9.00am – 4.00pm
Tuesday 29 October 2013
Stafford Town Centre
Market Square
Stafford
9.30am – 3.00pm
Wednesday 30 October 2013
Worcester City Centre
Angel Place
Worcester WR1 3Q
9.00am – 4.00pm
Thursday 31st October 2013
Birmingham City Centre
Victoria Square
Birmingham B1 1BD
GMB is also undertaking school visits across the region to galvanise support for teaching assistants jobs. See notes to editors for details of schools to be visited.
Vic Scutt, Headteacher at Light Hall School in Solihull, said "Teaching Assistants (TAs) perform an extremely crucial role in school, working with the most disadvantaged and often most vulnerable children. Their impact on their lives is immeasurable".
Marion Jones, Headteacher at Wootton Wawen Primary School in Warwickshire, said "I believe that the thing that makes a difference in education is people not resources or the latest big thing. At the school I have worked in the role of teaching assistant which has changed over the years. Although their pay is no better they are now, in many cases, skilled individuals with a real understanding of children and how they learn.
The number of teaching assistants who now go on to train as teachers bears this out. Often these are some of the most skilled students because they have had classroom experience and a chance to observe good professionals so this benefits initial teacher training. I would be dismayed if TAs were phased out."
Amanda Gearing, GMB Birmingham West Midlands Senior Organiser said "GMB has had overwhelming support so far from the parents, teachers we have been in contact with.
The regions officers have been going out to schools speaking with parents to find out their views and asking why we should SAVE OUR TA's.
Teaching Assistants are highly qualified and are a valuable asset to the school classroom, providing support for pupils who may need that little extra support.
By calling a profession a “mom's army”, Michael Gove's is insulting all Teaching Assistants both those who are parents and those who are not.
GMB will fight these idiotic plans.”
Notes
Details of School Visits
GMB Officers have been and will be visiting the following schools over the next few weeks to encourage parents, teaching assistants and teachers to sign the petition.
If you see us please come and sign! Your school needs you!
SCHOOL
Coppice Primary Academy, Wythall
Conway School (B'ham CC)
Firs Primary School (B'ham CC)
Brearley Nursery School Childrens Centre (B'ham CC)
Hollywood Primary School (B'ham CC)
Causeway Green Primary School (Sandwell MBC)
Lyppard Grange Primary, Worcester
Swan Lane 1st School, Evesham
Foley Park Community First School, Kidderminster
Elmley Castle School, Pershore
Apley Wood
Acqueduct Primary School
Redhill Primary School
John Fletcher Primary School
Hollinswood Junior